View source for Western Force

{{Short description|Australian rugby union club, based in Perth, WA}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname       = Western Force
| image          = Western force rugby logo.png
| imagesize      = 150 
| union          = [[Rugby Australia]]<br>([[RugbyWA|Western Australia]])
| location       = [[Perth]], Western Australia 
| region         = [[Western Australia]], Australia 
| founded        = {{start date and age|df=y|2005||}}
| ground         = [[Perth Oval|HBF Park]]
| capacity       = 20,500
| chairman       = Anthony Flannery
| ceo            = Niamh O'Connor
| rugby director = [[Matt Hodgson]] 
| coach          = [[Simon Cron]]
| captain        = [[Jeremy Williams (rugby union)|Jeremy Williams]]
| top scorer     = [[Cameron Shepherd]] (370)
| caps           = [[Matt Hodgson]] (140)
| url            = https://westernforce.rugby/
| league         = [[Super Rugby|Super Rugby Pacific]]
| season         = [[2025 Super Rugby Pacific season|2025]]
| position       = 9th overall

| pattern_la1    = _blueborder
| pattern_b1     = _upper black
| pattern_ra1    = _blueborder
| pattern_sh1    = 
| pattern_so1    = _blacktop
| leftarm1       = 000000
| body1          = 0000cc
| rightarm1      = 000000
| shorts1        = 000000
| socks1         = 0000cc

| pattern_la2    = _black_hoops
| pattern_b2     = _black_hoops
| pattern_ra2    = _black_hoops
| pattern_sh2    = 
| pattern_so2    = _hoops black
| leftarm2       = ffcc00
| body2          = ffcc00
| rightarm2      = ffcc00
| shorts2        = 000000
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}}
The '''Western Force''' is an Australian professional [[rugby union]] team based in [[Perth]], [[Western Australia]], currently competing in [[Super Rugby|Super Rugby Pacific]]. They previously played in [[Super Rugby]] from 2006 until they were axed from the competition in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-11|title=It is a ludicrous and unfair legal initiative by the ARU|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby-union/western-force-axed-from-super-rugby-competition-ng-677dc984af89555258ba01e89fb701f8|access-date=2020-12-22|website=PerthNow}}</ref> Following their axing they played in the [[National Rugby Championship]] in 2018 and 2019, replacing the [[Perth Spirit]], and [[Global Rapid Rugby]] from 2018 to 2020, an Indo-Pacific competition organised by [[Andrew Forrest]].

Following the cancellation of both the [[2020 Super Rugby season]] and [[2020 Global Rapid Rugby season]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Western Force were invited to compete in the [[2020 Super Rugby AU season]], a domestic competition organised by [[Rugby Australia]] to replace the cancelled Super Rugby season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Decent|first=Georgina Robinson, Roy Ward, Tom|date=2020-03-20|title=Western Force back in the fold as RA confirm new domestic competition|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/western-force-back-in-the-fold-in-new-domestic-competition-20200320-p54cbd.html|access-date=2020-12-22|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> The Force competed in the [[2021 Super Rugby AU season]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revamped Super Rugby unveiled with 2021 draw|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/super-rugby-2021-season-draw-fixture-revealed/1aaf867f-4836-47ac-9deb-ff3e3c11b412|access-date=2020-12-22|website=wwos.nine.com.au|date=11 November 2020 }}</ref> and [[Super Rugby Trans-Tasman]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Polson|first=James|date=2020-12-13|title=Waratahs to host Hurricanes in trans-Tasman Super Rugby opener|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/waratahs-to-host-hurricanes-in-trans-tasman-super-rugby-opener-20201214-p56n6m.html|access-date=2020-12-22|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> before being confirmed that their return to Super Rugby will be permanent in the revamped [[2022 Super Rugby Pacific season]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Reports: Agreement reached for 12-team Super Rugby from 2022|url=https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/super-rugby-set-twelve-2022/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=sarugbymag.co.za|date=4 November 2020 }}</ref>

==History==
===The first season===
[[File:Force runout lightened.jpg|thumb|left|The Force run out in their first game against the Brumbies in 2006]]
On 10 February the Western Force made their [[2006 Super 14 season|2006 season]] rugby debut against the [[Brumbies Rugby|Brumbies]] at a near sold out Subiaco Oval in Perth, losing 25–10.  After this result, the Force had a difficult debut in Super 14. A one-sided loss to the Hurricanes and an ugly loss at home to the Chiefs in Perth followed. Many fans were unimpressed, with only approximately 23,000 turning up to watch a match against the [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]. On 31 March, in front of 24,000, the Force came closest to their first win, losing 26–25 to the [[Stormers (rugby club)|Stormers]] at Subiaco Oval. This was after leading 10–0 early on in the match. This was the Force's first competition point ever, and was the longest it had ever taken a side to get a point in Super rugby history (8 rounds/7 matches).

[[File:Matt Hodgson jumping at a kick off.JPG|thumb|Western Force Gold playing Japanese team [[Yamaha Jubilo]] in 2006]]
On 21 April a crowd of 32,231<ref name="crusaders">{{cite web | url=http://www.planetrugby.com/Tournaments/Super_12/story_50575.shtml/| title=Force hold Crusaders to a draw | website=planetrugby.com| access-date=15 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060910122126/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Tournaments/Super_12/story_50575.shtml|archive-date=10 September 2006}}</ref> saw the Force nearly pull off the upset of the year, drawing 23-all with the undefeated defending champion [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]]. Though the Force were leading 7–0 after several minutes the feeling was still that the Crusaders would win, especially after they scored a try seconds later to make it 7–5. Only when the Force had blown the score out to 17–5 did anyone begin to talk of an upset. Leading 20–8 at half time the Force did not hold on for the win after the Crusaders scored two tries and a penalty within the closing half. At 23-all with seconds left the Force crashed over the line but were denied by the television match official.

Two days after the draw with the Crusaders, the Force were able to sign rising star [[Matt Giteau]] from the Brumbies, effective with the 2007 season. Giteau, whose contract with the Brumbies ended after the 2006 season, inked a three-year deal reportedly worth [[Australian dollar|A$]]4.5 million, making him the highest-paid player in the history of any Australian football code.<ref name="giteau">{{cite web | url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/Tournaments/Super_12/story_50593.shtml| title=Western Force win race for Giteau | website=planetrugby.com| access-date=15 September 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060430032908/http://www.planet-rugby.com/Tournaments/Super_12/story_50593.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 30 April 2006}}</ref>

On Saturday 6 May the Force announced they had managed to sign another player, Reds winger [[Drew Mitchell]]. However, during the same week the Force were fined $110,000 after an "independent committee found that Rugby WA had entered a negotiation process with [[Al Kanaar]] in a way that was contrary to and in breach of the contracting protocols."<ref name="fine">{{
cite web | url=http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-5740624,00.html
 | title = Force Fined $110,000 For Breach | website=MSN | location = New Zealand | access-date =15 September 2006}}</ref> The Force notched up their first win by defeating the [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]] 16–14 on 6 May.

=== Super Rugby years ===
The Western Force continued to play in Super Rugby until the [[2017 Super Rugby season|2017 season]]. During this time they struggled to achieve much success, failing to qualify for the playoffs in a single season. Their best season came in [[2007 Super 14 season|2007]], where they finished 7th out of 14 teams. Ahead of the [[2018 Super Rugby season]], [[SANZAAR]] made the decision to reduce the competition from 18 to 15 teams, deciding to cut 2 South African teams and 1 Australian team. On 11 August 2017 it was announced that the Western Force would be the Australian team to be axed from Super Rugby.<ref name="Western Force culled from Super Rugby competition">{{cite news|date=11 August 2017|title=Western Force culled from Super Rugby competition|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/western-force-culled-from-super-rugby-competition/news-story/5b379907a78f05c2fc1b554862cd9ffc|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>

===Global Rapid Rugby and National Rugby Championship years===
In September 2017, Australian billionaire [[Andrew Forrest]] made plans to launch an Indo-Pacific Rugby tournament,<ref name="Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest reveals details of new rugby competition">{{cite news | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/andrew-twiggy-forrest-reveals-details-of-new-rugby-competition/news-story/123a67fa7fb93bd0df05b82eb8fbc85c | title=Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest reveals details of new rugby competition | work=Fox Sports | date=13 September 2017 | access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref> consisting of the Western Force and other teams from the [[Indo-Pacific]] region.<ref name="Indo Pacific Rugby Championship">{{cite web | url=https://www.iprugby.com/ | title=Indo Pacific Rugby Championship | access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref> Several countries – such as {{nrut|Hong Kong}},<ref name="Talks strengthen hopes of Hong Kong entering team in Andrew Forrest’s Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship">{{cite news | url=http://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2119448/talks-strengthen-hopes-hong-kong-entering-team-andrew-forrests | title=Talks strengthen hopes of Hong Kong entering team in Andrew Forrest's Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship | work=South China Morning Post | date=11 November 2017 | access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref> {{nrut|Malaysia}}<ref name="MR Presiden aims Malaysia club participants in IPRC">{{cite news | url=http://ragbionline.com/2017/11/10/mr-presiden-aims-malaysia-club-participants-in-iprc | title=MR Presiden aims Malaysia club participants in IPRC | work=Ragbi Online | date=10 November 2017 | access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref> and {{nrut|Singapore}}<ref name="Rugby: Singapore keen on joining new Indo Pacific Rugby Championship">{{cite news | url=http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/rugby-singapore-keen-on-joining-new-indo-pacific-rugby-championship | title=Rugby: Singapore keen on joining new Indo Pacific Rugby Championship | work=The Straits Times | date=10 November 2017 | access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref> – expressed an interest in joining the new competition.

While organisation of the Indo-Pacific tournament was still underway, Andrew Forrest announced that the Western Force would play a series of matches in 2018 in what would be known as [[2018 World Series Rugby season|World Series Rugby]]. The Force played matches against [[Fiji Warriors|Fiji A]], [[Tonga A national rugby union team|Tonga A]], [[Samoa A national rugby union team|Samoa A]], the second tier national sides of those countries, along with the [[Hong Kong national rugby union team|Hong Kong national team]], Super Rugby sides [[Melbourne Rebels]] and the [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]], and Japanese club [[Panasonic Wild Knights]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Decent|first=Tom|date=2018-03-06|title='Twiggy' launches World Series Rugby, confirms 2018 Force fixtures|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/twiggy-launches-world-series-rugby-confirms-2018-force-fixtures-20180306-p4z32p.html|access-date=2020-12-22|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

Andrew Forrest's Indo-Pacific Rugby tournament was officially announced as [[Global Rapid Rugby]] and began in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomsen|first=Simon|date=2018-11-15|title=Andrew Forrest unveils 'Global Rapid Rugby', a new format aimed at reviving interest in the struggling game|url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/andrew-forrest-global-rapid-rugby-2018-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115132331/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/andrew-forrest-global-rapid-rugby-2018-11|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 November 2018|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Business Insider Australia}}</ref> The [[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season|inaugural 2019 season]] consisted of a series of showcase matches with the competition adopting a full home and away round-robin format for the [[2020 Global Rapid Rugby season|2020 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-31|title=Global Rapid Rugby delayed until next year|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/western-force/new-global-rapid-rugby-competition-delayed-until-next-year-ng-b881090280z|access-date=2020-12-22|website=The West Australian}}</ref> The Western Force played in Global Rapid Rugby against teams from [[Fiji]], Hong Kong, Japan, [[Malaysia]], [[Samoa]] and Singapore.

During this time the Western Force also played in the 2018 and 2019 [[National Rugby Championship]] seasons, replacing [[Perth Spirit]], who had previously acted as a feeder team for the Force during their Super Rugby years. The National Rugby Championship was Australia's second-tier competition below Super Rugby, taking place after the Super Rugby season and featuring players who were not selected to play for the [[Australia national rugby union team|Australian national team]] in the test season, similar to New Zealand's [[Mitre 10 Cup]] and South Africa's [[Currie Cup]]. The Western Force finished 3rd in the [[2018 National Rugby Championship|2018 season]], being knocked out in the semi-finals, and won the [[2019 National Rugby Championship|2019 season]], beating the Canberra Vikings 41–3 in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Western Force win maiden NRC title with five-try second-half blitz|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/10/25/nrc-grand-final-force-vikings|access-date=2020-12-22|website=rugby.com.au|date=26 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Return to Super Rugby ===
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the [[2020 Global Rapid Rugby season|2020 Global Rapid rugby season]], which the Western Force were competing in, was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Rapid Rugby season cancelled|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/04/07/global-rapid-rugby-cancellation|access-date=2020-12-22|website=rugby.com.au|date=7 April 2020 }}</ref> The pandemic had also caused the cancellation of the [[2020 Super Rugby season]], and international travel restrictions meant that it was unfeasible for the competition to continue in its current state, as it consisted of teams from 5 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-15|title=Super Rugby 2020 season shut down: Coronavirus news, SANZAAR, Highlanders vs Jaguares cancelled, NZ travel restriction|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-sanzaar-competition-to-be-halted-for-the-foreseeable-future/news-story/9793242c08bab0fe2b232f011699e28c|access-date=2020-12-22|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> Due to this, [[Rugby Australia]] launched a domestic competition known as [[Super Rugby AU]], its [[2020 Super Rugby AU season|inaugural 2020 season]] featuring the Western Force joining the current four Australian Super Rugby sides in a 12-week round robin tournament that ran from 3 July to 19 September.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/10/super-rugby-au-confirmation|access-date=2020-12-22|website=rugby.com.au|date=10 June 2020}}</ref>

The Western Force competed in the [[2021 Super Rugby AU season]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revealed: Rugby Australia announce 2021 Super Rugby AU draw|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/11/10/2021-australia-super-rugby-draw-revealed-with-new-zealand-crossover-set-to-follow|access-date=2020-12-22|website=rugby.com.au|date=11 November 2020}}</ref> along with [[Super Rugby Trans-Tasman]], a [[Trans-Tasman|trans-tasman]] competition that featured the five Super Rugby AU teams taking on the five [[Super Rugby Aotearoa]] teams.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 set for thrilling Trans-Tasman crossover|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/11/12/2021-set-for-thrilling-trans-tasman-crossover|access-date=2020-12-22|website=rugby.com.au|date=12 November 2020}}</ref>

Super Rugby's future is uncertain, but a new, 12 team competition started in 2022. This competition includes the full time return of the Western Force, who competed against the four other Australian Super Rugby sides, the five New Zealand sides, a Fijian-based team [[Fijian Drua]], and [[Moana Pasifika]], a team composed of players with Pacific Islander heritage.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Rugby confirms Fiji Rugby & Moana Pasifika as preferred partners|url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-rugby-confirms-fiji-rugby-and-moana-pasifika-as-preferred-partners/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=allblacks.com|date=13 November 2020}}</ref> The Force missed out on the Finals Series of the inaugural season by a single point.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/competition-stats/|title=Super Rugby Stats|website=Super Rugby Pacific}}</ref>

==Name and colours==
In 2005, [[RugbyWA]] unveiled the franchise team name as well as the logo, at a reception at the Burswood International Resort in Perth. Months of detailed community involvement went into selecting the name for the team. 'Western Force' was chosen as the name, which best reflected the franchise's location (state) and its 'values of strength, energy and community'. The logo was unveiled to be a black swan, which is the state's traditional insignia. The swan is set in a blue background, representing the Western Australia coastline and sky, whilst the gold represented the beaches, mineral wealth and sunshine. Some speculated that the team was going to be called the 'Black Swans'.{{cn|date=September 2024}} The Force's jersey and naming rights sponsor was also revealed. The home jersey was unveiled on [[Brendan Cannon]], being blue with a black swan. [[Lachlan MacKay]] emerged with the side's alternate strip, which was gold with a black swan; black and gold being the State colours of [[Western Australia]]. The team's first jersey was auctioned off for $30,000, and the first alternate strip was then also auctioned off for $30,000 as well.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

===Logo===
In March 2018, a new renewed Western Force changed their logo and jersey. The logo was very similar to the previous logo, this came after being axed from their most recent season of [[2017 Super Rugby season|Super Rugby]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/western-force/renewed-western-force-reveal-new-logo-jumper-ng-b88763504z|title=Renewed Western Force reveal new logo, jumper|newspaper=[[The West Australian]]|date=4 March 2018}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:Western Force logo old.svg|{{center|2006–2018}}
File:Western Force logo new.svg|{{center|2018–2021}}
</gallery>

==Support==
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
Shortly after RugbyWA won the fourth Australian franchise, an on-line register was set up for members to record their interest. In the space of weeks, 10,000 people had registered. When membership was officially launched in July, more than 13,000 were registered, with around 400 companies expressed interest in hospitality packages. Soon the Force had the largest membership base of any of the Australian Super 14 teams. By the time pre-season had started, the Force had 16,000 members.

Australian Rugby Union CEO Gary Flowers told the media that "people power" was a key factor in Western Australia being awarded the franchise ahead of Victoria. Prior to the announcement, more than 25,500 Western Australians signed a petition in support of their state's bid. In addition, 5,000 people, including the state's premier Dr Geoff Gallop, attended a rally at Subiaco Oval, organised by two rugby mothers "the Scrum Mums" (Jennifer Hoskins and Irma Cooper) to show how much the people of Western Australia wanted the franchise. By the end of the first season, the Force finished with the highest crowd average out of all the Australian teams, despite finishing in last place, the fans still came out to see [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallaby]] stars such as [[Matt Giteau]], [[Drew Mitchell]] and [[Nathan Sharpe]] (though Mitchell and Giteau were not in the 2006 line-up).

==Stadium==
[[File:Nib Stadium.jpg|right|thumb|HBF Park, home of the Western Force since 2010]]
For the first four seasons, the Force played all of their home games at [[Subiaco Oval]]. The stadium had a capacity of 43,500<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/dsrwr/_assets/main/lib50137/background.pdf|title=Major Stadia Taskforce – Background}}</ref> configured in an oval shape for [[Australian rules football]].

The club moved to the [[Perth Oval]] for the 2010 season and, with association football club [[Perth Glory]], pushed for an upgrade to the venue which would create a rectangular venue for the two clubs. As of 2019, the stadium is known as HBF Park after WA's biggest health insurer took over naming rights at Perth's home of soccer and rugby.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HBF to be new sponsor of Perth Rectangular Stadium|url=https://www.hbf.com.au/media-releases/hbf-to-be-new-sponsor-of-perth-rectangular-stadium|access-date=2021-11-28|website=HBF Health|date=27 September 2018}}</ref> The Force were given a limited grant by the government to improve facilities at the stadium, and the capacity was increased to 20,500 in time for the 2010 Super Rugby Season.

Between 2010 and 2011 the State government developed a masterplan for an improved rectangular stadium and then completed a business case which saw $88million dollars allocated to the first stage which was to include a new permanent East stand, new lights, two video replay boards, LED signage at pitch level, replacement of the playing surface and replacement of the south scaffold stand with new scaffold. A Project Definition Plan was then completed and following this, the government allocated a further $7.14million to add corporate amenity including 48 corporate boxes and a 250-seat BBQ deck to the new Eastern stand.

In June 2012 builder [[Buckeridge Group of Companies|BGC]] were awarded the head building contract for the project and on 7 June 2012 the Minister for Sport and Recreation Terry Waldron MLA announced that hard work by the project team, led by the Department of Sport and Recreation, and a keen price by builders would enable the south stand to become a permanent, unroofed structure rather than new scaffold. It was completed in September 2013, with a capacity of 20,441.

=={{anchor|A|U19|U20}}Development teams==
RugbyWA's two elite development squads just below full-time professional level are the Western Force A and WA Under 19 teams. These teams are closely aligned with the Western Force and train at [[UWA Sports Park|McGillvray Oval]], the training base used by the Force. RugbyWA also previously fielded a separate [[National Rugby Championship]] team, the [[Perth Spirit]], until the end of season 2017 but competed in this tournament as the Western Force from 2018. From 2019 the Development Team, [[RugbyWA#Representative teams|Perth Gold]], competes in [[National Rugby Championship|Emerging State Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Media|first=Rugby WA|date=2019-09-26|title=Perth Gold team selected and ready to fire in Adelaide for the NRC II competition {{!}} Latest Rugby News {{!}} Rugby WA|url=https://wa.rugby/news/2019/09/26/perth-gold-team-selected-and-ready-to-fire-in-adelaide-for-the-nrc-ii-competition|access-date=2021-11-28|website=wa.rugby}}</ref>

===Western Force A===
The Western Force A team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the [[Pacific Rugby Cup]]. Teams known by various names over the years including Western Force A, Western Force Gold and Force Academy have been selected from the best emerging rugby talent in Western Australia. The current squad is a mix of Western Force contracted players, Force Academy players from elite youth programs, and selected [[RugbyWA#Premier Grade (1st Grade)|Premier Grade]] club rugby players.<ref name=ruggaworld-2006/>

In 2006 the Western Force Gold, playing in the traditional gold and black colours of Western Australia, undertook a two-week tour to South Africa. The team played the [[Golden Lions]] and [[Blue Bulls]] before returning home to Perth to play [[Samoa national rugby union team|Manu Samoa]] and Japanese [[Top League]] teams [[Toshiba Brave Lupus|Toshiba]] and [[Yamaha Jubilo|Yamaha]].<ref name=ruggaworld-2006>{{cite web | date = 16 May 2006 | url = http://www.ruggaworld.com/2006/05/16/the-empire-strikes-again/ | title = The "Empire" strikes again? | website = ruggaworld.com | access-date = 7 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143628/http://www.ruggaworld.com/2006/05/16/the-empire-strikes-again/ <!-- http://archive dot is/4AJQ6--> |archive-date = 13 April 2014}}</ref> In 2008, the Force Academy beat the [[Singapore national rugby union team|Singapore]] national side by 113–7.<ref name=singapore-2008>{{cite web |date = 7 May 2008 |url = http://www.rugbywa.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/905/ArticleID/2187/Default.aspx |title = Tatupu claims outside centre berth |website = rugbywa.com.au | access-date = 7 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144733/http://www.rugbywa.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/905/ArticleID/2187/Default.aspx <!--http://archive dot is/zrnjV-->| archive-date = 13 April 2014}}</ref>

* 2019 [[National Rugby Championship#Emerging States Championship|Emerging States Championship]] '''Champions'''

===Under 19===
The Western Force under&nbsp;19 side plays in the [[Australian Youth Rugby Championships|URC]] competition. Western Australian teams played in the [[Australian Under 20 Rugby Championship#Southern States|Southern States Tournament]] up until 2015 and also played occasional matches against other representative sides such as [[Pacific Rugby Cup]] teams. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under&nbsp;21 and under&nbsp;19 age levels were fielded in national tournament but these teams were consolidated as under&nbsp;20s ahead of the inaugural [[2008 IRB Junior World Championship|World Rugby U20 Championship]]. In 2018, an under&nbsp;19 age limit was reinstated for the state colts teams.

==Season positions==
===Super Rugby===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:35px;"|Year
! style="width:30px;"|{{abbr| Pos| Position in standings}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pld| Games played}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  W | Games won}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  D | Games drawn}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  L | Games lost}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PF | Points for}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PA | Points against}}
! style="width:35px;"|{{abbr| +/−| Points difference}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr| BP | Bonus points}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pts| Standings points}}
<!-- Season
| Position
| P || W || D || L ||  PF ||  PA ||  PD  || BP || LogPts
| Play-offs -->
|-
| align = left |[[2006 Super 14 season|2006]]
|'''14th'''
|13||1||2||10||223||373||−150||4||'''12'''
|-
| align = left |[[2007 Super 14 season|2007]]
|'''7th'''
|13||6||1||6||276||282||−6||6||'''32'''
|-
| align = left |[[2008 Super 14 season|2008]]
|'''8th'''
|13||7||0||6||247||278||−31||5||'''33'''
|-
| align = left |[[2009 Super 14 season|2009]]
|'''8th'''
|13||6||1||6||328||275||+53||10||'''36'''
|-
| align = left |[[2010 Super 14 season|2010]]
|'''13th'''
|13||4||0||9||258||364||−106||3||'''19'''
|-
| align = left |[[2011 Super Rugby season|2011]]
|'''12th'''
|16||5||2||9||333||416||−83||5|| '''37'''
|-
| align = left |[[2012 Super Rugby season|2012]]
|'''14th'''
|16||3||0||13||306||440||−134||7|| '''27'''
|-
| align = left |[[2013 Super Rugby season|2013]]
|'''13th'''
|16||4||1||11||267||366||−99||5|| '''31'''
|-
| align = left |[[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]]
|'''8th'''
|16||9||0||7||343||393||−50||4|| '''40'''
|-
| align = left |[[2015 Super Rugby season|2015]]
|'''15th'''
|16||3||0||13||245||384||−139||7|| '''19'''
|-
| align = left |[[2016 Super Rugby season|2016]]
|'''16th'''
|15||2||0||13||260||441||−181||5|| '''13'''
|-
| align = left |[[2017 Super Rugby season|2017]]
|'''12th'''
|15||6||0||9||313||404||−91||2|| '''26'''
|-
| align = left |[[Super Rugby AU|2020 AU]]
|'''5th'''
|8||0||0||8||115||253||−138||3|| '''3'''
|-
| align = left |[[Super Rugby AU|2021 AU]]
|'''3rd'''
|8||4||0||4||148||193||−45||2|| '''18'''
|-
| align = left |[[Super Rugby Trans-Tasman|2021 T-T]]
|'''8th'''
|5||0||0||5||82||148||−66||1|| '''1'''
|-
| align = left |[[2022 Super Rugby Pacific season|2022 Pacific]]
|'''9th'''
|14||4||0||10||326||443||−117||7|| '''23'''
|-
|[[2023 Super Rugby Pacific season|2023 Pacific]]
|'''10th'''
|14
|5
|0
|9
|346
|494
| -148
|2
|'''22'''
|-
|[[2024 Super Rugby Pacific season|2024 Pacific]]
|'''10th'''
|14
|4
|0
|10
|294
|426
| -132
|4
|'''20'''
|-
|[[2025 Super Rugby Pacific season|2025 Pacific]]
|'''TBC'''
|14
|4
|1
|9
|358
|472
| -114
|5
|'''23'''
|}


===National Rugby Championship===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:35px;"|Year
! style="width:30px;"|{{abbr| Pos| Position in standings}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pld| Games played}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  W | Games won}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  D | Games drawn}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  L | Games lost}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PF | Points for}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PA | Points against}}
! style="width:35px;"|{{abbr| +/−| Points difference}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr| BP | Bonus points}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pts| Standings points}}
! style="width:90px;"|Play-offs
<!-- Season
| Position
| P || W || D || L ||  PF ||  PA ||  PD  || BP || LogPts
| Play-offs -->
|-
|[[2018 National Rugby Championship|2018]]
|'''3rd'''
| 7 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 284 || 202 || +82 || 3 || '''23'''
| Semifinalist
|-
|[[2019 National Rugby Championship|2019]]
|'''1st'''
| 7 || 6 || 0 || 1 || 285 || 213 || +72 || 4 || '''28'''
| Champion
|}

===Global Rapid Rugby===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:35px;"|Year
! style="width:30px;"|{{abbr| Pos| Position in standings}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pld| Games played}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  W | Games won}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  D | Games drawn}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr|  L | Games lost}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PF | Points for}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| PA | Points against}}
! style="width:35px;"|{{abbr| +/−| Points difference}}
! style="width:20px;"|{{abbr| BP | Bonus points}}
! style="width:25px;"|{{abbr| Pts| Standings points}}
! style="width:90px;"|Play-offs
<!-- Season
| Position
| P || W || D || L ||  PF ||  PA ||  PD  || BP || LogPts
| Play-offs -->
|-
|style="padding-right:2px"|{{nowrap|[[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season|2019]]{{hsp}}{{ref|showcase-2019|*}}}}
|'''1st'''
| 10 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 415 || 159 || +256 || 11 || '''43'''
| {{n/a}}
|}

<span style="font-size:90%;">'''Notes:'''</span>
<div style="line-height:1.4em; margin-left:1.7em; font-size:90%;">
{{note|showcase-2019|*}} Summary of all matches in the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season, including the Asia and Pacific showcases.
</div>

==Honours==
*'''[[Global Rapid Rugby]]'''
**Champions: [[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season|2019]]{{ref|rr-2019|{{hsp}}a}}
*'''[[National Rugby Championship]]'''
**Champions: [[2019 National Rugby Championship|2019]]
**Playoff appearances: [[2018 National Rugby Championship|2018]]
*'''[[World Club 10s]]'''
**Champions: [[World Club 10s#Champions|2016]]

===Minor honours===

* ''[[Toyota Challenge]]:'' '''winners''' 2 times '''runner up''' 3 times

<span style="font-size:90%;">'''Notes:'''</span>
<div style="line-height:1.4em; margin-left:1.7em; font-size:90%;">
{{note|rr-2019|<sup>a</sup>}} Western Force won both the Asia and Pacific showcases in an undefeated 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season.
</div>

==Current squad==
{{for|player movements before and during the [[2025 Super Rugby Pacific season|2025 season]]|List of 2024–25 Super Rugby transfers#Force}}

The squad for the [[2025 Super Rugby Pacific season]] is:<ref name="Four more round out 2025 Western Force Super Rugby squad">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/four-more-2025-western-force-srp-squad-20241112 | title=Four more round out 2025 Western Force Super Rugby squad | publisher=Western Force | date=11 November 2024 | access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Beale|Beale wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced as re-signing in January 2025.<ref name="Kurtley Beale returns to Western Force">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/kurtley-beale-returns-to-force-2025110 | title=Kurtley Beale returns to Western Force | work=Western Force | date=10 January 2025 | access-date=10 January 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 1 injuries|Hoopert & Johnson-Holmes were originally named in the Force squad, but were ruled out for the season through injury in February 2025.<ref name="Nine Club debutants confirmed for Round 1 clash with Moana Pasifika">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/nine-club-debutants-confirmed-round-1-moana-pasifika-2025212 | title=Nine Club debutants confirmed for Round 1 clash with Moana Pasifika | work=Western Force | date=12 February 2025 | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 2 late|Smith wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced as a late inclusion in the side for Round 2.<ref name="Match Centre - Super Rugby - Brumbies vs. Force">{{cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2025&match=945273 | title=Match Centre - Super Rugby - Brumbies vs. Force | work=SANZAAR | access-date=22 February 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Osborne|Osborne wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced as signing as an injury replacement in March 2025.<ref name="Harlequins prop Osborne signs with Force as injury cover">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/harlequins-prop-osborne-signs-force-injury-cover-202534 | title=Harlequins prop Osborne signs with Force as injury cover | work=Western Force | date=4 March 2025 | access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 5|Miln wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced in the side for Round 5.<ref name="Koteka to make long-awaited return away to Crusaders">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/koteka-longawaited-return-miln-debut-crusaders-2025312 | title=Koteka to make long-awaited return away to Crusaders | work=Western Force | date=12 March 2025 | access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 11 late|Paea wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced as a late inclusion in the side for Round 11.<ref name="Match Centre - Super Rugby - Chiefs vs. Force">{{cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2025&match=945313 | title=Match Centre - Super Rugby - Chiefs vs. Force | work=SANZAAR | access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 12|Alcock wasn't named in the original Force squad, but was announced in the side for Round 12.<ref name="Beale return headlines Force team to face Blues">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/beale-return-headlines-force-team-blues-2025430 | title=Beale return headlines Force team to face Blues | work=Western Force | date=30 April 2025 | access-date=30 April 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 14|Harford & Nofoagatotoa weren't named in the original Force squad, but were announced in the side for Round 14.<ref name="Western Force make changes for Fijian Drua trip">{{cite press release | url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/force-make-changes-fijian-drua-trip-2025514 | title=Western Force make changes for Fijian Drua trip | work=Western Force | date=14 May 2025 | access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | Force Super Rugby squad
|- valign="top"
|
'''Props'''
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Ryan Coxon]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Harry Hoopert]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 1 injuries}}
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Harry Johnson-Holmes]]''' [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 1 injuries}}
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} '''[[Atu Moli]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Marley Pearce]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Tom Robertson (rugby union)|Tom Robertson]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Tiaan Tauakipulu]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Tom Osborne (rugby union)|Tom Osborne]] <sup>ST</sup>{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Osborne}}
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Fatongia Paea]] <sup>ST</sup>{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 11 late}}
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Joshua Smith (rugby union)|Joshua Smith]] 

'''Hookers'''
* {{Flagicon|England}} '''[[Nic Dolly]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Tom Horton (rugby union)|Tom Horton]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Brandon Paenga-Amosa]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Albert Alcock]] 

'''Locks'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Sam Carter (rugby union)|Sam Carter]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Lopeti Faifua]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Darcy Swain]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Jeremy Williams (rugby union)|Jeremy Williams]]''' ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Titi Nofoagatotoa]] 

||
'''Loose forwards'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Nick Champion de Crespigny]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Vaiolini Ekuasi]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Will Harris (rugby union)|Will Harris]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Kane Koteka]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Reed Prinsep]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Papillon Sevele
* {{Flagicon|Fiji}} [[Josh Thompson (rugby union)|Josh Thompson]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Carlo Tizzano]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Mitch Watts

'''Scrum-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Issak Fines-Leleiwasa]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Doug Philipson]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Henry Robertson (rugby union)|Henry Robertson]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Nic White]]'''

'''Fly-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Max Burey]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Ben Donaldson (rugby union)|Ben Donaldson]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Reesjan Pasitoa]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Alex Harford]] <sup>ST</sup>{{efn|grouo="Squad"|name=Round 14}}
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Coby Miln]] <sup>ST</sup>{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Round 5}}

||
'''Centres'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Bayley Kuenzle]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Divad Palu]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} '''[[Matt Proctor]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Hamish Stewart]]'''
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Sio Tomkinson]]

'''Outside backs'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Kurtley Beale]]'''{{efn|group="Squad"|name=Beale}}
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Mac Grealy]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Ronan Leahy]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Dylan Pietsch]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[George Poolman]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Harry Potter (rugby union)|Harry Potter]]'''
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | {{smalldiv|
* ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) denotes team captain.
* '''Bold''' denotes internationally capped.
<!--* <sup>DEV</sup> denotes a development squad player.-->
* <sup>ST</sup> denotes a short-term signing.
* [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]] denotes a player ruled out for the season with injury.}}
{{notelist|group="Squad"}}
|}

==Coaches==
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:100%; width:50%;"
|-
! colspan="100%" | Western Force Coaches
|-
|-border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 width=50%
! style="width:15%;" | Coach
! style="width:4%;" | Tenure
! style="width:4%;" | Games
! style="width:4%;" | Wins
! style="width:4%;" | Losses
! style="width:4%;" | Draws
! style="width:4%;" | Win %
! style="width:4%;" | Finals Appearances
! style="width:4%;" | Titles
<!-- Coach | Tenure          
| Games 
|  Wins  
| Losses  
|  Draws  
| Win %   
| Finals appearances            
| Titles  -->
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|New Zealand}} [[John Mitchell (rugby union)|John Mitchell]]  || 2006–2010      
| 65  
| 24   
| 37     
| 4    
| 37%  
| None || None
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|Australia}} [[Richard Graham (rugby)|Richard Graham]]      
|| 2011–2012      
|| 24   
|| 7   
|| 15    
|| 2    
|| 29%   
|| None || None
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|Australia}} [[Phil Blake]] (interim)
|| 2012
|| 8
|| 1
|| 7
|| 0
|| 12% 
|| None || None   
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|Australia}} [[Michael Foley (rugby union)|Michael Foley]] || 2012–2016
|| 60  
|| 18   
|| 41   
|| 1    
|| 30%   
|| None
|| None
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|South Africa}} [[David Wessels]] || 2016–2017       
|| 18  
|| 6   
|| 12    
|| 0    
|| 33%   
|| None 
|| None
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|Australia}} [[Tim Sampson]]*|| 2018–2022            
|| 63   
|| 32    
|| 31  
|| 0    
|| 51%   
|| NRC: [[2018 National Rugby Championship|2018]], [[2019 National Rugby Championship|2019]] GRR: [[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season|2019]] SR: [[Super Rugby AU|2021 AU]]
|| NRC: [[2019 National Rugby Championship|2019]] GRR: [[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season|2019]]
|- align=center 
|align=left|{{flagdeco|New Zealand}} [[Simon Cron]]^ || 2022–present<ref>{{cite news |last=Doran |first=Christy |date=30 March 2022 |title='We can make a dominant team': Ambitious Force sign Cron to turn them into title contenders |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby-2022-simon-cron-appointed-western-force-coach-steve-hansen-tim-sampson-wallabies-fergus-leewarner-jake-myintyre/news-story/6b80b66a55ca4ef90e2f4b0b6671ce16 |work=Fox Sports|location=Australia }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Worthington |first=Sam |date=28 March 2022 |title=Western Force land highly rated coach Simon Cron to replace Tim Sampson at season's end |url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/super-rugby-pacific-2022-news-western-force-appoint-kiwi-simon-cron-as-new-coach/f88c50f5-c449-4a07-a865-507008972a80 |publisher=[[Nine's Wide World of Sports]] }}</ref>      
|| 32   
|| 10   
|| 22    
|| 0    
|| 31%   
|| None || None
|}
<small>''Updated 2 June 2024.''</small>
<small>''* denotes combined record across [[Global Rapid Rugby]], [[National Rugby Championship]] and all [[Super Rugby]] competitions.''</small>
<small>''^ denotes combined record across [[Super Rugby]] and all post-season capped tour games.''</small>

==Statistics==
===Competition===
====Super Rugby====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 96%" 
! rowspan=2| Competition
! rowspan=2| Years
! colspan=5| Matches
! rowspan=2| PF
! rowspan=2| PA
|-
! {{abbr|P|Matches played}}
! {{abbr|W|Matches won}}
! {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}
! {{abbr|L|Matches lost}}
! {{abbr|W%|Win percentage}}
|-
| [[Super 14]]
| 2006–2010
| 65
| 24
| 4
| 37
| 36.92%
| 833
| 1,572 
|-
| [[Super Rugby]]
| 2011–2017; 2020–present
| 145
| 40 
| 3
| 102
| 27.59%  
| 2,456
| 3,881
|- style="background:#ECECEC"
| '''Overall'''
| '''2006–2017; 2020–present'''
| '''210'''
| '''64'''
| '''7'''
| '''139'''
| '''30.48%'''
| '''3,289'''
| '''5,453''' 
|}

====National Rugby Championship====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 96%" 
! rowspan=2| Competition
! rowspan=2| Years
! colspan=5| Matches
! rowspan=2| PF
! rowspan=2| PA
|-
! {{abbr|P|Matches played}}
! {{abbr|W|Matches won}}
! {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}
! {{abbr|L|Matches lost}}
! {{abbr|W%|Win percentage}}
|-
| [[National Rugby Championship]]
| 2018–2019
| 14
| 11
| 0
| 3
| 78.57%
| 569
| 415
|- style="background:#ECECEC"
| '''Overall'''
| '''2018–2019'''
| '''14'''
| '''11'''
| '''0'''
| '''3'''
| '''78.57%'''
| '''569'''
| '''415'''
|}

===Individual records===
====Most appearances====

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!#
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Caps
!Span
|-
| 1. || [[Matt Hodgson]] || '''140''' || 2006–2017
|-
| 2. || [[Pek Cowan]] || '''136''' || 2006–2020
|-
|3.
|[[Ian Prior (rugby union)|Ian Prior]]
|'''95'''
|2014–2024
|-
| rowspan="2" | 4. || [[Nathan Sharpe]]|| '''92'''|| 2006–2012
|-
| [[Ben McCalman]] || '''92''' || 2010–2017
|}

====Most points====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!#
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Pts
!Span
|-
| 1. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''372''' || 2006–2012
|-
| 2. || [[James O'Connor (rugby union)|James O'Connor]] || '''306''' || 2008–2011
|-
| 3. || [[Matt Giteau]] || '''293''' || 2007–2009
|-
| 4. || [[Ian Prior (rugby union)|Ian Prior]] || '''215''' || 2014–2024
|-
| 5. || [[Sias Ebersohn]] || '''212''' || 2013–2015
|}

====Most tries====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!#
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Tries
!Span
|-
| 1. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''30''' || 2006–2012
|-
| 2. || [[Matt Hodgson]] || '''20''' || 2006–2017
|-
| 3. || [[Carlo Tizzano]] || '''19''' || 2023–2025
|-
| 4. || [[Scott Staniforth]] || '''18''' || 2006–2010
|-
| rowspan="2" | 5. || [[Nick Cummins]] || '''16''' || 2008–2015
|-
| [[Ryan Cross]] || '''16''' || 2007–2010
|}

====Most points in a season====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!#
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Pts
!Year
|-
| 1. || [[James O'Connor (rugby union)|James O'Connor]] || '''170''' || 2011
|-
| 2. || [[Matt Giteau]] || '''128''' || 2009
|-
| 3. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''121''' || 2006
|-
| 4. || [[Sias Ebersohn]] || '''117''' || 2014
|-
| 5. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''115''' || 2007
|}

====Most tries in a season====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Tries
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Year
|-
| '''13''' || [[Carlo Tizzano]] || 2025
|-
| '''9''' || [[Scott Staniforth]] || 2006
|-
|'''8'''
|[[Zach Kibirige]]
|2023
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''7''' || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || 2006
|-
| [[Cameron Shepherd]] || 2007
|-
| [[Cameron Shepherd]] || 2009
|-
| [[Nick Cummins]] || 2014
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''6''' || [[Chase Tiatia]] || 2024
|-
| [[Bayley Kuenzle]] || 2024
|-
| [[Carlo Tizzano]] || 2024
|-
| [[Matt Hodgson]] || 2014
|}

====Most points in a match====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!#
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Pts
!Opposition
!Year
|-
| 1. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''25''' || [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]] || 2007
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2. || [[Cameron Shepherd]] || '''23''' || [[Queensland Reds|Reds]] ||  2007
|-
| [[David Hill (rugby union)|David Hill]] || '''23''' || [[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]] || 2010
|-
| [[Ben Donaldson (rugby union)|Ben Donaldson]] || '''23''' || [[Fijian Drua|Drua]] || 2024
|-
| 3. || [[Matt Giteau]] || '''21''' || [[Waikato Chiefs|Chiefs]] || 2007
|-
| rowspan=4 | 4. || [[Matt Giteau]] || '''20''' || [[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]] || 2009
|-
| [[James O'Connor (rugby union)|James O'Connor]] || '''20''' || [[Queensland Reds|Reds]] || 2011
|-
| [[David Harvey (rugby union)|David Harvey]] || '''20''' || [[Queensland Reds|Reds]] || 2012
|-
| [[Ben Donaldson (rugby union)|Ben Donaldson]] || '''20''' || {{Rut|Moana Pasifika}} || 2025
|}

====Most tries in a match====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Tries
! style="width:160px;"| Player
!Opposition
!Year
|-
| rowspan=6 | '''3''' || [[Scott Staniforth]] || [[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]] || 2006
|-
| [[Cameron Shepherd]] || [[Brumbies]] || 2009
|-
| [[Nick Cummins]] || [[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]] || 2014
|-
| [[Marcel Brache]] || [[Sunwolves]] || 2016
|-
| [[Jordan Olowofela]] || [[Queensland Reds]] || 2021
|-
| [[Nic Dolly]] || [[Fijian Drua]] || 2025
|}

===Firsts===
* '''First pre-season game''' – vs the [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]] (lost 19–29)
* '''First season game''' – Round 1, 2006 vs [[ACT Brumbies|Brumbies]] (lost 10–25)
* '''First try''' – [[Scott Fava]] vs [[ACT Brumbies|Brumbies]]
* '''First points''' – Scott Daruda (3-point penalty kick) vs [[ACT Brumbies|Brumbies]]
* '''First conversion''' – Scott Daruda vs [[ACT Brumbies|Brumbies]]
* '''First draw''' – Round 11, 2006 vs [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]] (23–23)
* '''First drop goal''' – Matt Giteau vs [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]]
* '''First penalty try''' – Pre-Season 2006 vs [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]] (19–29)
* '''First win''' – Round 13, 2006 vs [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]] (16–14)
* '''First home win''' – Round 6, 2007 vs the [[Hurricanes (rugby union)|Hurricanes]] (18–17)<ref name="FirstHomeWin">{{cite news| url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10428305 |title=Rugby: Force win as TV replay shows officials' frailty |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 March 2007 |access-date=12 March 2007 |last=Gray| first=Wynne}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2015}}

In November 2007, Western Force players [[Scott Fava]] and [[Richard Brown (rugby player)|Richard Brown]] were fined and ordered to do community service for mistreating protected native [[quokka]]s at a team bonding session on [[Rottnest Island]], {{convert|19|km|mi}} off the coast of Perth.

Eye-witness accounts stated that the players had mishandled the animals, including trapping and throwing them, though none were known to be seriously injured. Alcohol was said to be a factor.

As a result of the actions, Australian Wallaby [[Number eight (rugby union)|number 8]] Fava was ordered to pay $11,000, attend a week of community service and undergo counselling for alcohol abuse, while [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]] Richard Brown was sentenced to a $5000 fine as well as seven days' community service. Both fines were payable to the Rottnest Island Conservation Foundation.

In February 2008, Matt Henjak and Haig Sare were involved in a fight at a pub in Perth. Henjak hit Sare and broke his jaw and was sacked by the Force for misconduct. Haig Sare returned to play for the Force at the end of Season 2008 once his injuries healed.

===Firepower funding debacle===
Sponsorship payments from the fuel technology company [[Firepower International|Firepower]] were a major factor in luring Wallaby star Matt Giteau and others to play for the Western Force in Perth.<ref>{{cite web
 | first = Justin | last = Chadwick | date = 27 May 2008
 | title = Firepower debacle hits Matt Giteau, Western Force
 | work = PerthNow/The Sunday Times 
 | url = http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby-union/firepower-debacle-hits-giteau/story-e6frg263-1111116467742
 | access-date =29 September 2010}}
</ref> The luckless Giteau was one of a number of sportsmen owed millions of dollars after the collapse of Firepower.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Jacquelin |last1=Magnay|first2=Gerard |last2=Ryle|url=http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/super14/the-games-almost-up-for-firepower/2008/05/27/1211654034343.html |title=The game's almost up for Firepower|work=Rugby Heaven |date=28 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202050215/http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/super14/the-games-almost-up-for-firepower/2008/05/27/1211654034343.html|archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref>
A new consortium offered to cover the Firepower money if Giteau extended his existing contract;<ref>''[http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby/giteau-rejects-16m-force-offer/story-e6frg263-1111117918742 Matt Giteau rejects $1.6m Force offer]'' PerthNow, 1 November 2008</ref> he, however, chose not to and returned to Canberra to play for the [[Brumbies (rugby)|Brumbies]].<ref>''[https://web.archive.org/web/20090224072158/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/21/2497711.htm Giteau to return to Brumbies]'' ABC News, 21 February 2009</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Western Force players]]
* [[Rugby union in Western Australia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}

{{Western Force}}
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